Live Action Roleplay
Live Action Roleplay is a relatively new sport, drawing upon elements of medieval re-enactment, conventional roleplay (e.g. Dungeons & Dragons), murder/mystery weekends, paintball and freeform theatre. Players take the roles of heroes in a fantasy world and endeavour to overcome problems and challenges set for them in the adventure plot. Your character dresses as you do, says what you say, and acts as you do. Combat takes place using replica weapons with the results decided by the players' skill (if you win your character survives, if not then usually it dies) rather than being directed toward a predetermined outcome.

Fools & Heroes
Fools & Heroes is a national LARP society run by and for its members. The society is divided into local branches; collectively governed by a national executive committee. Each branch selects a Liaison Officer to represent it, and referees who are responsible for the running of the game itself. Unlike many other LARP systems no one makes a profit and any funds raised are invested back into the game. Membership of Fools & Heroes costs £10/year (mostly to cover insurance) and is available to anyone over the age of 18, who is physically well enough to safely participate. Players may join at the age of 16 if they are sponsored by an older member.

The Game System & Campaign World Fools & Heroes runs a high fantasy campaign based in a parallel Britain, roughly a thousand years in our past. The combat system is low-hit with a moderate threat level. The game is intended to be heroic and evil characters are specifically prohibited. It may not look quite as impressive as the Lord Of The Rings movies, but try thinking along the same lines. Characters start weak and progress over time; gaining additional abilities and increased social status (and sometimes disadvantages) through membership and advancement in various guilds (mercenaries, physicians, mages, etc.), churches or knightly orders. Equipment is determined by the character's finances rather than an abstracted "points" system.

Events
Our monthly meetings include two "adventures", of which each member is asked to play one and crew the other. Plot is provided by either branch referees running local plotlines, or as part of the nationally co-ordinated campaign. The society also runs a variety of fests (usually 3-day events including both banquet and battle) and special adventures, throughout the year and across the country. In addition every August bank holiday Fools & Heroes runs the 4-day Summerfest as a culmination of the year's national plot.

Bristol Branch Meetings
Fools & Heroes, Bristol run games on the 1st Sunday of each calendar month. Normally this takes place between 10.30 and 11am, at Leigh Woods, Bristol (take J19 off the M5, follow the A369 towards Bristol, turn left opposite Ashton Park onto Forestry Commission land, and follow the road until you reach a car park). Click here to link to a map of the area.

Circumstances may cause games to be rearranged or cancelled so please contact the Liaison Officer before turning up for the first time.

Contacting Us
For more information about Fool & Heroes, Bristol (or to arrange to attend a meeting) please contact the Liaison Officer; Matthew Harman Smith - bristolfnh@blueyonder.co.uk. For further LARP links, information about Fools & Heroes nationally, or to find a branch in your area please visit the society's central website at http://www.foolsandheroes.com/

All text and graphics Copyright © Fools & Heroes, Bristol 2001-2003.
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